A/N: Hello again everyone. Glad to see some people (new AND old) have stumbled across my little rewrite. Good to know people are still looking out for it

The last chapter was some 600 words longer than the original, and I'm hoping to double that number for this one. I really think that I didn't make my story as interesting as it could have been the first time around, so I'm really going to work on descriptions and the little things that make a story intricate. Sorry if it bugs some of ya'. But I feel like it will help myself to be a stronger writer if I can really nail bringing a story to life.

I think I'm going to keep the "-sama" on the end of Miroku's name when Sango speaks to him. She always talks to him formally, and I think it's a good way to keep that kind of feeling to their conversations. I don't want to keep switching between "Miroku-sama" and "houshi-sama"… so if someone has a preference to which I use, let me know hereafter.

In the dream sequences, Inuyasha (human/half demon) is going to be referred to by name and "he". His demonic form will be called "It", so that it can be a little clearer who is saying/doing what.

Again, I'm ditching the chapter titles because I think they are super lame.

Disclaimer: I do not own "InuYasha". I did create the story line and a character seen in later chapters, Sherue.

'Italics' represents thoughts

Blocks of italics that are separated from the story by "~" are dream sequences

"~" also acknowledges a scene change.

*Chapter Two*

It was nearly midnight by the time the group of friends had arrived back to the safety of Keade's hut. Stars shone brightly in the sky as the rain turned to drizzle upon them. Inuyasha slowed down to a walk as they came up to the house. Kirara stopped completely, letting the small fox demon descend and run through the doorway. Sango, drowsy from the whole ordeal, climbed off her faithful youkai's back and patted her nose, earning a soft, grateful sound from the cat. Miroku followed the demon slayer inside after pausing momentarily to cast a look to the half demon.

Inuyasha looked down at the sleeping woman in his arms, watching as she took deep breaths as she rested. 'Why was she so afraid?' He walked a short distance to sit against the outer wall of the hut, holding Kagome close to his body. She instinctively pulled his fire rat top around her tighter as she snuggled against his chest. He noticed her brow was creased. 'Still afraid,' he sighed, not knowing if she was dreaming of something frightening or if it was still from earlier.

Beyond the wall, the hanyou could hear the others getting settled in the sleeping bags Kagome left in this time for them. He could make out the sounds of talking, his triangular ear atop his head flickering towards them.

"I thought he was dead, Miroku-sama," he heard Sango say. The sound of the zipper on the bag followed her words.

"As did I," was all the monk replied.

Inuyasha let out an exasperated sigh and leaned his head against the old wood. So everyone he cared about was worried or scared, and it was because of something he had done. He raised one dirty, clawed hand to move a strand of hair out of Kagome's face. 'And no one more so than you.' He was angry at himself. Angry for causing such emotions in the one woman he truly longed to be with-

'Whoa,' his eyes widened for a split second as he caught on to his train of thoughts. Shaking his head, he decided he wasn't going to even tread on that sentence. 'Why would I wanna be with someone that's so weak? She couldn't even handle herself when I blacked out, otherwise she wouldn't be so damn scared!' Inuyasha made a face of frustration at himself a moment before he felt the body in his arms shift, waking at last.

Kagome took a deep breath before she opened her eyes. She could feel the warmth of his embrace, wrapped in his clothes, and smiled a small smile. Slowly, she met his golden eyes. "Hey," she whispered.

He fought back the urge to return her smile. Something he felt like he always did around her. He wasn't supposed to be "happy", not since he was nothing but a dirty half breed. But with Kagome… He always had to nip some feelings in the bud. It was unbecoming of a demon to fraternize with a human. Keeping his voice quiet as well, Inuyasha became serious. "Why were you so scared after I killed that youkai?"

She hesitated, shifting out of his arms and onto the ground beside him. A sigh escaped her lips as she absentmindedly played with the hem of her skirt. "Well," she answered, not meeting his gaze. "Before you killed him, you changed again…"

He blinked at her. "Changed?"

Kagome reached out and patted his hand comfortingly before standing. The smell of the misting rain filled her nose as she looked up at the sky. "Let's go inside," was all she said.

Inuyasha stood, alone, as the moon hovered directly overhead. He felt drained, completely exhausted. Something about this last battle really wore him out, and he didn't like the feeling one bit. Usually, sleep was nothing, just a few hours after everyone else had fallen asleep, and he was first awake every morning. He leaned against the doorframe on the inside of the hut. Kagome was already zipping up her sleeping bags; the others were fast into their dreams. Inuyasha chose an empty spot next to her to lie on, using his fire rat coat to support his head. It took him no time at all to find his sleep, but he was plagued.

'What could I have done? I remember… it killed me… How did I survive?'

It was just before daybreak when Kagome woke. She lay, watching small rays of sun slowly begin to make their way into the room through the covered doorway and thinking of the night before. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught movement.

Kagome sat up, pulling her sleeping bag off of her body as she slowly moved toward Inuyasha. It looked as though he had fallen asleep at some point during the night, but now he was glistening in the dim light, beads of sweat trickling down his skin and into the pool of silver hair surrounding him. She watched his eyebrows pull together, his head moving slightly back and forth. Kagome gently reached over and pushed his bangs from in front of his face.

"Inuyasha?" She was almost afraid to touch him to wake him up. Never had she witnessed him being so restless while he slept. It shook her to the core as she heard him start muttering under his breath. With a hand on his shoulder, Kagome softly started to shake his body. "Inuyasha, wake up," she said a little louder.

Behind her, she could make out the sounds of her friends waking up. Perhaps they would know how to get the hanyou from whatever dream he seemed to be having…

"Inuyasha…"

He blinked a few times, trying to see through the thick fog that had emerged around him. It was nearly impossible; everything was pearly white. But he could still hear that calloused voice calling to him…

"Inuyasha…"

He began to walk, trying to decide what to do. Through the haze, it didn't seem he was getting anywhere. He ran his fingers through his midnight black hair just as the fog began to lift. Hold on…

'Midnight black?' He looked at the long, dark locks in his human hands. What was going on? Running his tongue along his teeth, he also came to realize his fangs were gone, although after the previous clues, he really didn't expect any different. Before him, a village began to materialize from the mist. Huts were smashed, livestock was running for cover. Two small children were knelt over bodies as they looked up at a large, grayish-purple youkai. Naraku's mark clearly visible on it's exposed back.

"I know this place…Goshinki…" Nearly frantic, his dark eyes flickered over the scene. 'But he's dead!'

"Hello, Inuyasha…" the cold voice said again. He turned, only to be faced with another creature, one he had only seen once before, while in the castle beyond the looking glass…

"What the-" Inuyasha stared into the blood red eyes of his own, transformed body. He watched as the green irises looked him over, taking in his clearly human form.

A growl erupted from the full youkai's throat. "Can't you tell?" it snapped its long, deadly fangs. With its claws flexing, it took a few wild steps towards Inuyasha. He looked over the scene around him, which was frozen like a still frame.

Then, realization hit him.

This was when he first blacked out and saw fear in his comrade's eyes.

'Why can't I remember?' he thought, looking back at the monster with the cruel voice. In an instant, its claws were around Inuyasha's neck, holding him a foot above the ground. He winced, feeling the claws cut into his flesh like a hot knife through butter. Blood began to pour down his collarbone.

"Your human heart wouldn't be able to handle knowing what you did here…" it snarled, bringing its face inches from his. "You'd die if you knew…" Snapping its teeth once more, it threw the human to the ground like garbage.

The scene around them faded. Inuyasha propped himself up on one hand, trying to clot the blood flow from his neck with the other. He heard a whimper just then, causing his gaze to land on a schoolgirl with raven colored hair.

"Kagome… Kagome run!" his voice was hoarse as he called to her, but it was too late. She was staring at his full-fledged demon form.

"Inuyasha? What's going-" she gasped, Inuyasha screamed.

She was pitched forward over its arm. It wasn't even a blink of an eye before the youkai had dashed forward, smirking, to thrust its fist through her body. Inuyasha lunged towards them, his eyes on the bloodied claw that was protruding from Kagome's back.

The three humans sat around Inuyasha's wincing form. Kagome reached out with a damp cloth to wipe his forehead, sniffling as a couple silent tears ran down her cheeks. She had never seen Inuyasha act this way, sleeping or awake, and it frightened her. She looked up at Miroku, not expecting much of an answer to what had been happening the last hour.

"How much longer do you think it will be until he finally wakes up?" The young girl didn't know how much longer she could stand watching him fidget and mutter under his breath.

With a shake of his head, the monk glanced at Sango. She was holding a confused Shippo in her lap, not knowing what to make of what was going on with her comrade. They had never had to experience something like this, least of all from the hanyou. In fact, she couldn't even remember when she had ever seen him sleep.

"If we just wake him up, everything will be ok, right?" Shippo asked, not liking what he was seeing at all.

"I hope so," was all Kagome could respond with.

Keade came from the back of the hut with a new washcloth for Kagome. She had a sad frown on her lips as she joined the group, stirring a small pot over the fire pit in the center of the room. Having already gotten Kagome's sleeping bags out of the way, the room had a little more space, although with the restless hanyou still lying on the ground, it was hard to tell.

'Still no change,' she observed. No sooner had the thought come about than a sudden movement had them all focused.

Inuyasha sat bolt up, his eyes wide and fearful, and a scream tearing through his throat. The deep, agonized sound was cut short as Inuyasha took in his surroundings.

They were all here. Kagome was alive.

"Inuyasha, what-" Without thinking twice, Inuyasha grabbed Kagome and crushed her to his chest, relief washing over his body. A moment of silence, and he quickly let her go, realizing what he was doing. A light blush graced his cheeks.

"You're alive," he said, barely audible. He fell back against his red top and took a deep breath, knowing he was having a moment of vulnerability and not enjoying it at all. He was just so tired…

"Inuyasha," Miroku spoke. "Is everything alright? You had us worried, my friend."

"Bad dreams…" Inuyasha shook his head, closing his eyes. He couldn't stand seeing everyone's eyes filled with fear and pity.

The houshi looked at the uncharacteristically exhausted form of his friend and knew that something much deeper than bad dreams were afoot. Catching Sango's eye, he stood. There was only one way to find out what was going on, and it was not to sit and watch uncomfortably as the hanyou broke down his 'tough-guy' persona.

"Sango, would you mind?" She nodded, not quite knowing what Miroku's plans were. Keade sighed softly, ladling a little of her mixture into a bowl as the pair left.

"Inuyasha, if ye wishes to sleep dreamlessly for a little while, ye should take this."

He looked over at the old woman with a small scowl. As much as an undisturbed sleep was desperately needed, Inuyasha just couldn't bring himself to take the bowl, knowing it would just make him look weaker than he wanted. He would press on like nothing happened. He had to.

"Keh," he scoffed, trying to sit up.

"Inuyasha, please," Kagome put a hand on his shoulder. "We are all worried about you. Just take the bowl?" She gave him a soft look and he almost gave in; he looked away instead. "Just do it, Inuyasha," she scowled back at him, If he was going to be stubborn, so was she. Kagome put the bowl to his lips and made him drink it, which he was actually quite thankful for. He was asleep almost before he had swallowed the entire serving.

Keade stood and put a withered hand on Kagome's head. "If ye wishes to return to your time, it would be wise to do it now."

Kagome nodded. It had been quite a few days since she had made an appearance back home. She cast a long look at the hanyou, sleeping much more peacefully than he had previously. Nodding to Keade, she wiped Inuyasha's forehead once more before standing.

She grabbed her yellow bag on her way out of the hut. Miroku and Sango stood ten feet from the little hut with Shippo at their feet. Kagome waved at her friends as she headed towards the Bone Eater's Well. 'I hope things are right again by the time I get back,' she thought, jumping into the dark well. 'It's so unlike Inuyasha to have behaved like that… I wonder what it means…'

A pink haze surrounded her as she traveled five hundred years into the future, thinking of nothing but going-ons in the past.

*End Chapter*

I changed things up a little bit. I'm trying to make the characters more like themselves (not having Inuyasha be so touchy feely/openly soft/worried about Kagome, Kagome not so omg-crying about Inyasha) –as much as I dislike Kagome, she is a strong-willed girl and goes have a temper, if you caught onto her making Inuyasha take the sleeping medication lol.

Anywhoo. Hope you guys enjoyed this rewrite!

Inu Faceness